Disposing Of My Safe Bet Chapter 2

I hadn’t been at the other venue for thirty minutes before Shirley found me.

“Ms. Kensington,” she whispered. “The word from the other party is that Mr. Harrison has been rushed to the hospital.”

I raised an eyebrow, signaling my VP to take over the conversation while I pulled Shirley aside. “What happened?”

“Apparently, the new assistant said something else offensive,” Shirley said quietly. “Once you left, people started intentionally trying to get her to drink. To see what would happen. Mr. Harrison played the hero. He drank every single glass meant for her. And then… his stomach gave out.”

For the first time that night, I actually laughed. “Quite the knight in shining armor.”

“Get the car. I’ll go to the hospital.”

I arrived at the private wing an hour later. Shirley led me straight to Mike’s room.

As I reached for the handle, I heard the sound of muffled sobbing from inside.

“I’m so sorry, Mike,” Lexi’s voice wailed. “If I could handle my liquor, you wouldn't be in this bed. It’s all my fault. Please let me stay and take care of you. I won’t be able to sleep if I leave.”

Through the small window in the door, I saw her. She was clutching Mike’s hand, her face a mess of tears and mascara.

Mike didn't pull away.

Instead, he reached out a trembling hand and brushed a tear from her cheek. “It’s not your fault,” he whispered. “I did it because I wanted to.”

Because he wanted to.

I stood in the hallway and laughed again, silent and cold. I suppose not every hero saves the girl out of duty. Some do it because they’re looking for a way out of their own lives.

I didn't open the door. I turned around and walked out.

When Mike texted me later to ‘report’ his condition, I sent back a two-word reply: Copy that.